"The withdrawal of the complaint... is worrying and disconcerting. Thus, we are extremely concerned that this case will result in an immense setback for our national fight against the rape epidemic in our country and the persistent harassment of women in the workplace," ANCWL deputy president Nosipho Dorothy Ntwanambi said.

Although the rape allegations had come to light via an internal grievance process, the Congress of SA Trade Unions might not be the most appropriate forum to properly investigate an allegation of rape, she said.

"Secondly, it was our view that Cosatu could not offer the comprehensive protection, support and assistance to the complainant, as it would be the case within the legal system," Ntwanambi said.

Vavi admitted having an extramarital affair with a married woman who worked for Cosatu. He claimed she later tried to extort R2 million from him. He denied raping her, and said the sex was consensual.

However, she brought a complaint of sexual harassment against him. The complaint was withdrawn during the internal grievance proceeding which started on Monday morning.

Vavi tweeted in the afternoon: "The complainant withdrew the 'grievance' after just 2hrs into the process. Thanks to so many who supported my family. Statement following."

The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said the allegations were part of a "dirty tricks" campaign by Vavi's opponents within Cosatu to destroy him.

"The timing of this claim is worrying and it reinforces our long-held view that a sinister campaign is being used to push Vavi out from his elected position for narrow political and selfish ends," Numsa said in a statement.

"We fully support Vavi during this difficult and testing period since he has not been found guilty by any court."

The SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) said Vavi was being targeted because he had dared to speak truth to power.

"He [Vavi] has dared to speak the truth on unemployment, the absence of service delivery, corruption, and many other issues... and in so doing, has incurred the wrath of those with career ambitions," Samwu said in a statement.

@Lenyora-Buckselona
Is this woman Xhosa?Cos they have a habit of being involved in such scandals.
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No. I beg to differ. The woman is Sotho. And the woman Zuma allegedly raped was Zulu. You were making some intelligent remarks before this one. You better stop the tribalist K.A.K. right here right now.

JUL 30, 2013
MthimbanaT
How soon these fat hippos forget that the set back against the fight to stem the rape epidemic occurred when the screamed and danced outside the courts when Zuma was on trial for the same offence they are now concerned about simply because Vavi, the anti-corruption crusader's neck is on the chopping block.

Khwezi is now living in exile, thanks to these hippos. How embarrassing!
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Mdala
@Lenyora-Buckselona
Is this woman Xhosa?Cos they have a habit of being involved in such scandals.
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Mamela kunzi yenkwenkwe that lady is not a xhosa woman her surname goes by Phooko and after all its doesn't matter what tribal she belongs to that's not the point uyeva? su thetha amas!mba apha.
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Thank u.

@Lenyora-Buckselona
Watch the space more sex scandals are still coming.Whose next?Blade "the rockface"Nzimande.
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All Zumas cronnies and ex-cronnies do the same. It's just a matter of time.

If Vavi is found guilty of harrassment, he should be disciplined in terms of what his employers' Code of Conduct says. But if they both agreed to have sex in the office, it shouldn't be blamed on Vavi alone, which is what most bloggers are doing.
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they are both employees, and they are subject to their organisation's dc processes, the woman is also at fault if she did have an affair whilst married!

Phuphethakatha
Lenyora-Buckselona
Mara Zuma is clever ne.....how did he find owt that this woman was sleeping with Vavi.Dnt underestimate the double diff head.
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Set a thief to get one! Zuma did this earlier, remember? No one can beat Zuma in his own game (rape, corruption, backbiting{gedleyihlekisa} etc.) It's not really about being clever. I think he's the most dof prez we had so far.
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Lol i know he is the most Dof president ever,i was just being sarcastic.I meant he knows how to eliminate his enemy.Look @ Juju,Tokyo,Floyd ,Mathale,King Khumbule Khaya now Vavi,who else did i miss out.All fushed down the toilet.

@Lenyora-Buckselona
Is this woman Xhosa?Cos they have a habit of being involved in such scandals.
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Mamela kunzi yenkwenkwe that lady is not a xhosa woman her surname goes by Phooko and after all its doesn't matter what tribal she belongs to that's not the point uyeva? su thetha amas!mba apha.

So if you came home to find the maid and the gardener boinking on your sofa, you would pat them both on the head and give your blessings?

You don't have sex in an office during working hours. It is manky nasty and plain WRONG. If nothing else, it brings the organisation into disrepute.

Sexual harassment is a very real problem but it is also used by those who are unscrupulous. It is incredibly difficult to prove innocence if you are accused of it
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1. In the case of the maid and the gardener, I would dismiss them BOTH. That IS my Code of Conduct.
2. If Vavi is found guilty of harrassment, he should be disciplined in terms of what his employers' Code of Conduct says. But if they both agreed to have sex in the office, it shouldn't be blamed on Vavi alone, which is what most bloggers are doing.
3. If the rape accusations are found to be false, the woman should still be disciplined in terms of the Code of Conduct

@MSG.Besides media and all mfanakthi i personally believe the Verwoeds and them ddint commit such lousy actions like sleeping with women in the office,they commited more serious offences that have to deal with money and at the same time they ddint forget their mandate which is to serve the people.

Now these cretins sleep around,steal our money,and do all the wrong things and still forget their mandate which is to serve us.